Half of the pubs and off-licences targeted in a police operation in the Cotswolds sold alcoholic drinks to a 15-year-old over the weekend.

The test purchase operation took place on Saturday night, with eight premises visited in an attempt to gauge whether local businesses are being responsible and abiding by licensing law.

Operations like this happen regularly and involve an underage customer visiting venues accompanied by two undercover officers, who observe what happens. The test purchaser never lies about their age and does not produce any ID if asked.

Disappointingly, two shops and two pubs sold drinks to the underage customer - in one case the incident was made worse because a 17-year-old staff member sold the alcohol unsupervised. This business will be visited by police again to deal with the offences while three staff members from the other locations will receive £90 penalty fines. We will also write to the businesses that passed to thank them for their diligence.

Our officers regularly visit licensed premises and work with businesses throughout the county to make sure they know their responsibilities and act lawfully.